OPM ORDINARY PEOPLE MAGAZINE
Find Your Passion And Run With It!
Christin Webb
There Is Power In The Decisions
We Make
Through Tragedy, Truth, Triumph Beauty & Blessings COME - PT2
2nd Quarter 2024 |Vol. 15 | ISSUE 46
From With In
“Bloom where you are planted” is a very inspirational quote credited to Saint Francies de Sales (1567-1622). How often have you heard this and wonder what it means or felt that it was totally impossible at this given time. To “Bloom where you are planted” indicate that although things may not be going well, to not lose hope or confidence in yourself. Take the time to reinvent yourself, take advantage of any new opportunities that might present itself. Despite your current situation, you can still “Bloom.” “For I know the thoughts that think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 20:11 Embrace your new beginning, as you continue to thrive, grow, and focus on more positive thing. Trust me you will be ok! “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 2 John 2
And as always, Love, Peace, and Increase… Verna V. Nickelberry
3
VeMaShe
Travel Tote Bags
Custom Classic Chic Travel Bags FOR THE WOMAN ON THE GO https://payhip.com/VeMaShe 4
Departments Founder and Editorial Director Verna V. Nickelberry Contributing writers Jeanette Chestnut-Chester Paola Tennon Photographer Kimberly tylor Ordinary People Magazine is a quarterly publication produce in print and digital form. You can find the printed version at www.magcloud.com and the digital version at www.issuu.com O.P. Magazine Mail 2624 Santa Monica Dr. Atlanta, GA 30318 VeMaShe Enterprise www.vemasheenterprise.com All rights reserved: Reproduction in whole or in part without the founder/editor’s consent is strictly prohibited. the opions express herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the positions or views of the editor. The publication of any advertisement in the issue does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s products or services by the publication. ©2024 Ordinary People Magazine VeMaShe Enterprise LLC
5
Contents
Cover Story Find Your Passion And Run With It 12
YourFor parac Your Health There Is Power In The Decisions We Make 22
From With In 3 Word Search 39
Inspirational Words Isaiah 61: 10 38 Just To Encourage You The Call of a Prophet 18 Miracles And Blessings Who Would Have Thought? Part Two 32
6
12
22
18 38
WORD SEARCH 32
39 7
Just To Encourage You
Elder Jeanette Chestnut-Chester
The Call of a Prophet. The Prophet Jeremiah. What do we know about him? We know that God called him at a very early age to the office of Prophet. We know that he was a prophet not only to the Jewish people, but also to the neighboring nations. He was a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah during a tumultuous period. We understand from scripture that the office of the prophet is one that is ordained only by God. The Prophet is one of the 5-fold ministry gifts given by the Holy Spirit to the church. We know him as the Weeping Prophet, and that he played a significant role in the Old Testament. But how did he come to be God’s voice in a very turbulent and troublesome time? Jeremiah was a priest, and a native of Anathoth in the tribe of Benjamin. His call to the office of Prophet came about sixty to seventy years after the death of the Prophet Isaiah. According to Jeremiah 1:4- This is how the call of Jeremiah occurred: “Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations”. God identifies Himself as the source of the call of Jeremiah. We see how amazing this validation and God’s plan and purpose is in place here! God Himself has spoken to Jeremiah in his youth and tells him that even before he was formed in his mother’s womb, God’s purpose for him was already set in place. God goes on to assure the young man that He (God) has sanctified Jeremiah, and that He
18
(God) has ordained him. This means that God set Jeremiah aside as holy unto Himself for the work that God purposed to be done, long before Jeremah was conceived. And of course, as with many of us, Jeremiah wasn’t going into this willingly. No! Not at all. We see his protests here in vs 6, where he says this to the Lord: “Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young. Jeremiah says that he lacks the words needed to say what needs to be said, and he then says that he is too young to handle this job. But of course, the Father already knows that this protest would come! Remember, he told Jeremiah that He knew him before he was formed? That means that his forming and his sanctification and his appointment to the office of prophet was all God’s doing. And yes, God does have an answer to the protests of Jeremiah, as vs 7 states the reply of the Lord: “But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak”. God is showing His Sovereignty and that His choice is set and accurate. The Lord refused to accept Jeremiah's reasons for resisting his call. It did not matter that he was young and inexperienced, because the Lord had called him. He would go where God sent him and say what God told him to say. God goes on to make it known that the young Prophet is not to be afraid of the reactions of the people. His words are these: Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then something astonishing happens according to Jeremiah, he says “Then the LORD put forth his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.” As with Isaiah, God
touched Jeremiah's mouth. Isaiah started the same way. God touched his mouth with the coals from the altar and gave him power in speaking. Jeremiah's words, then became the key to his power, for it is the living, burning, shattering, building, mighty power of the word of God. This Prophet had a mountainous assignment ahead of him, but with the Lord as his guide he was never in this alone. In the following verses God gives Jeremiah an overview of what is about to take place. Jeremiah 1:14. Then the Lord said to me, “Out of the north disaster shall be let loose upon all the inhabitants of the land. 15. For behold, I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, declares the Lord, and they shall come, and every one shall set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around and against all the cities of Judah. 16. And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands. 17. But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. 18. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the
19
people of the land. 19. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” Judgements had been levied against Judah for the sins committed against the Lord, yes Judah committed sins, and turned their backs on the Lord, and the Lord was not pleased with their behavior. I believe that the Lord wanted them to know the consequences of their actions and this was why He was sending Jeremiah as well as letting Jeremiah know that they would not accept his words; which were in fact the Word of the Lord. The whole counsel of God must be declared. Judah displayed a false sense of confidence as we sometimes do. They began to rely on and behave like the inhabitants of the land in which they dwelt. Jeremiah’s duties involved going to the backslidden Judah with a three-fold message, firstly He wanted to remind Israel of the days of blessings and deliverance, secondly, He admonished them for forsaking Him, and thirdly, he accuses them of choosing other gods, gods that are impotent and non-vital, and certainly they are not the Lord God who delivered them. Jeremiah was not welcomed with open arms, not at all, in fact he was treated harshly. He was denied participation in the ordinary joys and sorrows of his fellowmen and he did not marry. He thus could say, “I sat alone,” with God's hand upon him. Jeremiah had periods of despondency when he expressed the wish that he had never been born or that he might run away and live alone in the desert. Jeremiah’s early messages to the people were condemnations of them for their false worship and social injustice, with summons to repentance. This is the reason the Lord informed him not to be dismayed by their reactions. The Prophet Jeremiah was also known as the weeping Prophet. His lament was over the miserable state Jerusalem. His tears were over the decline of his beloved Jerusalem and the hard-hearted attitude of the people of Israel. Jerusalem became captive and enslaved, by reason of the greatness of her sin, and there was no rest from the suffering. Jeremiah’s message was one of repentance, repentance therefore had a strong ethical coloring, since it meant living in obedience to Yahweh's will for the individual and the nation. We like Jeremiah are to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, not leaning to our own understanding, we do well to acknowledge Him in all our ways and He most certainly will direct our paths, He will put His words in our mouths, He will fill us with good things, and cause our cups to overflow. We are not to walk in fear, and doubt. God will always equip those He calls. Jeremiah's transformation from hesitant youth to confident prophet is a powerful reminder that we also can find strength, purpose, and identity in the vision that God has for our lives. Be encouraged in this; Psalm 138:8 - The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and lovingkindness, O Lord, endure forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands. Elder Jeanette Chestnut Chester
20
21